[Icom] ICOM REP IN ERROR

[Ray V.]

I agree with Cletus. To be type accepted they have to restrict operation 
to the ham bands unless other proof of authorization (MARS or CAP 
license) is provided. My guess is their position is that they can't 
provide a mod to "open up" the entire 60 meter band, but only those 5 
unique channels and I doubt there is any way to specifically open up 
only the 5 individual channels  without a firmware upgrade. I doubt we 
will see any official "60 meter" mod from ICOM, however any new gear 
that comes out will have the 5 channels "hardcoded" into them. There 
might even be new versions of exisiting gear (i.e. a IC706MkII-G/60m) 
that has modified firmware that unlocks those 5 specific channels but 
there won't be an upgrade path for exisiting IC706MkII-G's.

Just a guess. 73, Ray  W2EC

Cletus W Whitaker wrote:

> de WB2CPN South Central Pennsylvania  2003.06.07
> 
> ICOM has been modifying radios for MARS and CAP
> operation.  I'm USAF MARS, and I've been using
> ICOM radios on SHARES and FEMA in the 5 - 6 MHZ
> band for years.  Perhaps it's something to do
> with type acceptance for amateur use, or other
> legalities, that makes ICOM take the position
> they're taking relative to 60 meters.  It appears
> they do not have a modification that will permit
> only the five frequencies, and they are not about
> to open the whole 1.6 - 30 MHz up on a radio
> unless the owner has the appropriate MARS or
> whatever documentation.  I'll have to agree with
> ICOM, anything they do will open more bags
> of worms.  And, my thoughts are that the 60 meter
> band as now configured is anything but ham radio
> as we have known it.     73  Clete
> 
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